Arielle Strauss is a twenty-two year old author, actress, and percussionist originally from Freehold, New Jersey. She graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, where she began to write “The Wraith Trilogy.” She’s pleased to finally share her first novel, The Wraith, and the sequel, The Huntress, with the world.

The Wraith – Ophelia Weller never believed in ghosts until the night she became one. But when the aftermath of a frat party on the most haunted campus in America leaves her face to face with her own naked corpse, she really has no other option. Now a wraith, Ophelia is a spirit hidden amongst the living. Forced to conceal her undead identity from the world, and struggling to remain visible to the humans around her, how will she ever manage to convince her dearest friend of the truth? Or muster the courage to tell her beautiful gym partner that she just may be in love with her? And, with no memory of her death, how will Ophelia solve the mystery of her murder?

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The Huntress – Ophelia’s been dead for several weeks, but she’s still around. Yet other students at Ohio University are dropping like flies, never to return. Surely the most haunted campus in America is home to other wraiths like herself? Ophelia is determined to find them—and to discover the truth about why she continues to dwell in the world of mortals. But faced with a mysterious clan of ghost hunters closing in, threatening to end her unlife, three meddlesome (and crotchety) divine beings determined to control her new existence, and a best friend with more than friendly feelings for the love of her life, how long will Ophelia be able to hide the truth of her death—and her destiny?

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Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Arielle. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

I just put out my second book, which is the sequel to my first ever novella. The short series is called The Wraith Trilogy. So, yes, there will be a third out sometime next year.

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

I chose to self-publish through a friend’s publishing company. She’s not only a wonderful friend, but a fantastic resource. We help each other whenever we can. Also gives us an excuse to hang out and have Xena marathons after doing bookwork.

Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?

Only a few months. It was up to me to get an editor and a designer. Once the book was ready, publishing was relatively simple.

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It was quite the thrill, and also a little intimidating. People everywhere could now read what I wrote. I don’t remember how I celebrated, but it probably involved a great abundance of food.

Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I created an author Facebook page and invited all my friends to like it.

Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?

I’ve definitely taken more care to perfect the final product. My first book, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I didn’t realize I could go back and fix typos/mistakes after the book was designed and proofed. I thought everything had already been finalized, but I should have paid any amount of money to fix those stupid little things. This time around, I’m taking much more care.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

Self-publishing is made so easy. The hard part is promotion. You do rely heavily on getting reviewed to help make sales happen.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?

When people say to me, “When is that next book coming out? I’m dying here!” Seeing that my audience wants to read more is so gratifying. I’m sure this next book won’t disappoint.

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Make that “one day” today. Believe it or not, people need to read your work. If you’re self-publishing, invest in a great editor and designer. Even if you don’t wind up making the money back in sales, your words will inevitably affect someone out there.